System and method for device specific color space conversion

Abstract

The subject application is directed generally to color conversions and more particularly, to color space conversions for electronic images. The subject application is particularly applicable to conversions made prior to rendering of images by output devices, such as printers, wherein an image encoded in a first multidimensional color space is to be converted to a color space associated with output device prior to rendering.

1 . A color space conversion system comprising:
 means adapted for receiving source parameter data representative of an input color gamut of a first multidimensional color space;   means adapted for receiving empirical parameter data associated with color output properties of an associated document output device, which empirical parameter data is associated with a second multidimensional color space; and   conversion table generation means adapted for generating a device link profile in accordance with the source parameter data and the empirical parameter data.   
     
     
         2 . The color space conversion system of  claim 1  wherein the empirical data includes data corresponding to toner characteristics associated with the document output device. 
     
     
         3 . The color space conversion system of  claim 2  wherein the conversion table generation means includes:
 means adapted for generating a three dimensional data table corresponding to a mapping between the first multidimensional color space and the second multidimensional color space;   means adapted for defining a base white value at a first vertex of the three dimensional table;   means adapted for defining a base black value in accordance with a second vertex of the three dimensional table;   means adapted for defining values associated with surfaces of the three dimensional table in accordance with maximum values associated with the second multidimensional color space; and   means adapted for altering values associated with color progression between vertices of the three dimensional table in accordance with the empirical data.   
     
     
         4 . The color space conversion system of  claim 3  further comprising:
 means adapted for receiving mode data representative of desired output characteristics associated with the conversion; and wherein   the conversion table generation means further includes means adapted for generating the device link profile in accordance with the mode data.   
     
     
         5 . The color space conversion system of  claim 4  wherein the mode data includes data representative of a desired visual effect associated with an output image. 
     
     
         6 . The color space conversion system of  claim 3  wherein the first multidimensional color space is RGB and wherein the second multidimensional color space is CYMK, and wherein vertices of the three dimensional table further define base values associated with cyan, yellow, magenta, red, green and blue. 
     
     
         7 . A method for color space conversion comprising the steps of:
 receiving source parameter data representative of an input color gamut of a first multidimensional color space;   receiving empirical parameter data associated with color output properties of an associated document output device, which empirical parameter data is associated with a second multidimensional color space;   generating a device link profile in accordance with the source parameter data and the empirical parameter data.   
     
     
         8 . The method for color space conversion of  claim 7  wherein the empirical data includes data corresponding to toner characteristics associated with the document output device. 
     
     
         9 . The method for color space conversion of  claim 8  wherein the step of generating a device link profile includes the steps of:
 generating a three dimensional data table corresponding to a mapping between the first multidimensional color space and the second multidimensional color space;   defining a base white value at a first vertex of the three dimensional table;   defining a base black value in accordance with a second vertex of the three dimensional table;   defining values associated with surfaces of the three dimensional table in accordance with maximum values associated with the second multidimensional color space; and   altering values associated with color progression between vertices of the three dimensional table in accordance with the empirical data.   
     
     
         10 . The method for color space conversion of  claim 9  further comprising the step of:
 receiving mode data representative of desired output characteristics associated with the conversion; and wherein   the step of generating a device link profile includes the step of generating the device link profile in accordance with the mode data.   
     
     
         11 . The method for color space conversion of  claim 10  wherein the mode data includes data representative of a desired visual effect associated with an output image. 
     
     
         12 . The method for color space conversion of  claim 9  wherein the first multidimensional color space is RGB and wherein the second multidimensional color space is CYMK, and wherein vertices of the three dimensional table further define base values associated with cyan, yellow, magenta, red, green and blue. 
     
     
         13 . A computer-implemented method for color space conversion comprising the steps of:
 receiving source parameter data representative of an input color gamut of a first multidimensional color space;   receiving empirical parameter data associated with color output properties of an associated document output device, which empirical parameter data is associated with a second multidimensional color space;   generating a device link profile in accordance with the source parameter data and the empirical parameter data.   
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method for color space conversion of  claim 13  wherein the empirical data includes data corresponding to toner characteristics associated with the document output device. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method for color space conversion of  claim 14  wherein the step of generating a device link profile includes the steps of:
 generating a three dimensional data table corresponding to a mapping between the first multidimensional color space and the second multidimensional color space;   defining a base white value at a first vertex of the three dimensional table;   defining a base black value in accordance with a second vertex of the three dimensional table;   defining values associated with surfaces of the three dimensional table in accordance with maximum values associated with the second multidimensional color space; and   altering values associated with color progression between vertices of the three dimensional table in accordance with the empirical data.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method for color space conversion of  claim 15  further comprising the step of:
 receiving mode data representative of desired output characteristics associated with the conversion; and wherein   the step of generating a device link profile includes the step of generating the device link profile in accordance with the mode data.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method for color space conversion of  claim 16  wherein the mode data includes data representative of a desired visual effect associated with an output image. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method for color space conversion of  claim 15  wherein the first multidimensional color space is RGB and wherein the second multidimensional color space is CYMK, and wherein vertices of the three dimensional table further define base values associated with cyan, yellow, magenta, red, green and blue.